Extraordinary Dogs

As Ambrose Bierce puts it, a dog is “a kind of additional or subsidiary Diety designed to catch the overflow or surplus of the world's worship.” Dogs never fail to impress and endear with their intelligence, affection and myriad capabilities.
Pets Team 12 September 2012

As Ambrose Bierce puts it, a dog is “a kind of additional or subsidiary Diety designed to catch the overflow or surplus of the world's worship.” Dogs never fail to impress and endear with their intelligence, affection and myriad capabilities. Throughout the years, they have proven why they are deserving of their status as man’s best friend and continue to warm our hearts with their amazing stories. Read on to learn about some of the world’s most extraordinary dogs and their lasting impact on human society.

Faith

http://www.china.org.cn/photos/2010-08/14/content_20708812.htm

Born with only two hind legs and a badly deformed front leg, Faith’s condition seemed hopeless and she was left to die, found smothered by her mother when she was rescued by Reuben Stringfellow. With courageous tenacity and tireless encouragement on the part of her rescuers turned caregivers, Faith survived against the odds, learning to walk on her two hind legs with the aid of a spoonful of peanut butter. Her front leg had to be amputated owing to atrophy.

Faith’s indomitable spirit proved so inspiring that she quickly made headlines across the country, hailed as the world’s first known bipedal dog. Since appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show, she has gone on to make numerous public appearances, walking around with an unusual human-like gait and encouraging the disabled with her effusive personality. The wonder dog has even been made an honorary sergeant in the U.S army for inspiring disabled war veterans, visiting them at hospitals and army bases dressed in a military jacket. “Faith seems to inspire these young men. It's very emotional watching them respond to her,” her owner, June Stringfellow, from Oklahoma city said.

Wheely Willy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheely_Willy

If there is one motto that sums up Willy the paraplegic Chihuahua’s life, it is “I Can.” Found sealed in a cardboard box, hairless and emaciated, Willy lived in an animal hospital waiting to be adopted. With his vocal chords severed and his back legs paralyzed from a broken back, little Willy had to be euthanized if he failed to be adopted. Then came Deborah Turner who, touched by his story, decided to rescue him and give him a loving home. With the aid of a k-9 cart, a specially designed wheelchair for canine applications, Willy enjoyed his new found mobility and freedom which brought him incredible energy and joy. Along with Deborah, Willy made his rounds at hospitals, schools and convalescent homes, bringing cheer and hope where it was needed. Over the next eight years, Willy spread his message of hope wherever he went, earning the moniker Wheely Willy and eventually becoming the subject of an award-winning children’s book, titled “How Willy Got His Wheels”, which chronicles his life-changing journey. While Willy has passed on, his story of courage and determination continues to tug heartstrings and inspire to this day.

Hachiko

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D

It is a well known fact that dogs are renowned for their loyalty to their masters. Hachiko is one dog that has served as an exemplary model of implicit devotion internationally for over a hundred years. The Akita was brought to Tokyo in 1924 by his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor at the University of Tokyo. Every day, Hachiko would see his owner set off for work at the door and wait at the Shibuya station to receive him after he ended work at 4 o’clock. This daily routine went on until one fateful day in May 1925 when Professor Ueno did not return. The latter had suffered from a cerebral damage and died. Despite the loss of his owner, the faithful Hachiko never failed to turn up at the station at the precise time, patiently waiting to welcome his beloved master home. His constant vigil made him a familiar sight at the station and soon attracted the attention of the train commuters, who brought him food and treats.

Hachiko’s fame soared when he was featured in the local newspaper, impressing the nation with his spirit of loyalty that was seen as a model for everyone to emulate. For nine years, Hachiko persisted in his routine of waiting for his master at the station. His undying loyalty inspired the people of Japan to build a bronze statue in memory of him. Despite his death a year after the erection of the statue, the legacy of Hachiko lives on in the numerous films and books inspired by his story, championing the unbreakable bond between man and his canine friend.

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D
http://www.yourchihuahua.com/wheely-willy.html
http://www.wheelywilly.com/whoiswilly.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheely_Willy
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303762/Meet-Faith-legged-dog-inspiring-injured-troops.html
http://www.china.org.cn/photos/2010-08/14/content_20708812.htm